VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Raising Cane’s opened its first South Georgia restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Valdosta.

The Louisiana-based chicken finger chain celebrated the opening with giveaways, including a “Lucky 20” drawing for free Cane’s for a year.

20 customers, ages 13 and older, won the prize after entries were accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. Winners were drawn during a ribbon-cutting ceremony between 9 and 10 a.m.

The first 100 customers who purchased combo meals in the restaurant received a Cane’s trucker hat and a free Box Combo card for a future visit.

The new restaurant operates Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., with extended hours Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. The location features a double-lane drive-thru.

The Valdosta restaurant is located at 1198 North Saint Augustine Road across from the Valdosta Mall.

Inside, the restaurant displays tributes to local high schools and Valdosta State University, references to the city’s “Azalea City” nickname and connections to Moody Air Force Base.

The Valdosta State University cheer team, dance team and mascot “Blaze” participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The restaurant also presented a check to Lowndes High School at 9:30 a.m.

Todd Graves founded the company in 1996 and named it after his yellow Labrador, Cane, who became the brand’s mascot.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Raising Cane’s to Valdosta,” said Restaurant Leader Keith Hernandez. “Valdosta has a strong sense of community, and that’s exactly the kind of place we love to call home.”

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